Chatham News

CHATHAM – The Women of Fishing Families (WOFF) will sponsor the annual Blessing of the Fleet at the fish pier on Saturday, May 26 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Rev. Brian McGurk of St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church and Amy Middleton of the First Congregational Church will lead the ceremony with a blessing for fishermen, their crews and their boats for a safe fishing season. There will be performances by bagpiper Sa...

CHATHAM – In 2014 a population study began aimed at getting a better sense of just how many white sharks are in the waters off Cape Cod. Since then more than 320 individual white sharks have been identified.
Proving a big help to renowned shark researcher Dr. Greg Skomal and the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy have been vibrant yellow buoys affixed with acoustic receivers. Not only has the time come for the f...

CHATHAMPORT — Once again this year, the Chatham Marconi Maritime Center will soon be hosting a special guest. Princess Elettra Marconi Giovanelli, daughter of the famed inventor and station founder Guglielmo Marconi, is visiting from Italy from May 30 to June 4, and will take part in a number of events at the center.
The princess will visit students at Monomoy Regional Middle School on Wednesday afternoon fo...

CHATHAM — Thomas R. “Tim” Pennypacker, II, is being remembered as a caring neighbor, as the officiant at countless marriages, as a lover of local history, and as a plain-talking politician with a strong sense of duty toward his community.
Mr. Pennypacker died Sunday at the age of 73, shortly after having been diagnosed with cancer.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family,” Board of Selectmen Chairm...

CHATHAM – After the state refused to allow them to build a revetment to protect their $3.9 million home, a Shore Road couple is proposing an innovative shoreline stabilization project that could serve as a state-wide model.
Lisa and James McGonigle are seeking permission from the conservation commission to install a “living shoreline” at the base of the coastal bank at 498 Shore Rd. The project involves the cr...

CHATHAM – Two familiar faces and one newcomer won seats on the board of selectmen in last Tuesday's annual town election.
Incumbents Dean Nicastro and Cory Metters each won a second three-year term on the board, while planning board chairman Peter Cocolis captured a one-year seat left vacant by the resignation of Amanda Love.
Metters topped the voting for the two three-year terms with 1,251, followed by Nic...

CHATHAM — With modest improvements at the boat ramp and a small park on the adjacent Marconi triangle, the latest $1.6 million plan for the Ryder’s Cove town landing has won preliminary approval from selectmen.
Unlike previous plans, which called for a new parking lot with an entry from Route 28 and other amenities, the current proposal focuses on repairing the deteriorating bulkhead, installing new floats, ...

CHATHAM — Thanks to the volunteers of the Coast Guard Auxiliary, visitors to Chatham Light this summer will get the chance to learn some history while enjoying the best view in town.
The annual public tours of the lighthouse, held most Wednesdays from 1 to 3:30 p.m. during the summer months, start June 6. Special tours will also be held on June 16 and 17 during Chatham’s History Weekend.
Admission is free...

CHATHAM — Judging by the numbers of seniors living here, one might assume that the Lower Cape is a pretty attractive place to grow old. But for many elders, the high cost of living, the lack of housing and transportation make it difficult to stay here and age with independence.
Chatham has now joined Orleans and other Cape towns in seeking a state designation as a regional “Age-friendly” community.
Demogr...

CHATHAM — What do the Atwood House, the Chatham Shark Center and the Marconi Center have in common?
On Saturday, you can get in with nothing more than proof that you live on Cape Cod.
Already popular with visitors to the Cape, the three museums are collaborating on the first-ever Free Locals Day in a bid to encourage visits from year-rounders.
Danielle Jeanloz of the Chatham Historical Society said the...

CHATHAM – Two familiar faces and one newcomer were elected to the board of selectmen Tuesday.
Incumbents Dean Nicastro and Cory Metters each won their second three-year term on the board, while planning board chairman Peter Cocolis captured a one-year seat left vacant by the resignation of Amanda Love.
Metters topped the voting for the two three-year terms with 1,251, followed by Nicastro with 1,006, and fo...

By Protecting Nesting Shorebirds, Monitors Help Maintain Beach Access
NORTH BEACH – Both the birds and their nests are difficult to spot, since they're the same color as the sand. And in the wide overwashes created by this winter's storms, there's a lot of territory to cover.
It's prime piping plover nesting season, and Assistant Conservation Agent Paul Wightman and Shorebird Monitor Tom Olson are spending ...